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UPDATE: 11/1/2017

November, 2017

Dear Parent / Guardian:

A recent review of health records required for school has shown that several grade 7 and grade 10 students lack updated information required by the MA Department of Public Health. Specifically, students in these grades need to provide documentation from their physician indicating a current physical exam (from Sept. 1, 2016 to present) and updated immunization information (see link for requirements). If your child has had a recent physical exam, would you please send it to us or ask your MD to fax us a copy at (413) 247-0201 attention: Martha Elliott, Smith Academy Nurse. If your child has an appointment for a physical exam scheduled, would you please call Ms. Elliott at 247-5641.

Also, in the event of a difficult to manage health situation here at school, we are asking parents/guardians of all students to complete an optional release form allowing the school nurse to contact your child’s physician in order to facilitate care. This will be helpful in circumstances where parents / guardians cannot be reached and will be renewed annually in the future. A copy of our release form is attached for your consideration.

Thisweek is National Mental Illness Awareness Week: dedicated to educating the public and reducing the stigma often associated with mental illness. Also, Fri, Oct 5 is National Depression Screening Day.

As with other life-threatening conditions such as sudden cardiac arrest, we can all recognize and respond to life-threatening mental health crises in others by contacting professional help. Milllions of people living with mental illness issues live fulfilling lives thanks to ongoing treatment and support. Accessible resources/info to use or share include the following:

Also, considering the latest mass shooting tragedy and subsequent news stories, the folks from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) remind us about their resources that may be helpful in helping our friends and family members to cope:

Dear Parents/Guardians: Your School Nurses appreciate the privilege of working with you to help your children to be healthy and safe in order to be ready to learn. If you have not already done so, we invite you to: RENEW, REMIND, & REACH OUT. Please renewphysical exams (required for Gr 7 & 10 students), written medication orders, and bring in updated medications your child may need to take while in school. Also, please complete the Emergency Contact / Medication form. These School Nurse forms are available at:

Please remind your student athletes to renew their ImPACT test every two years per school policy. If your children do not feel well in school, please remind them to ask for a pass to see the School Nurse (instead of contacting you). Parents will be immediately contacted when children present with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea along with more significant signs and symptoms. Children with less significant symptoms will first be offered and often respond to treatments (based on the annually signed Emergency Contact / Med form) in the Health Office. Cell phone and other device use is not permitted in the Health Office. Also, remind your students to avoid eating on the school bus (choking hazard). Additional information is available in the Smith Academy Student Handbook (pages 46-47).

Please reach out to the School Nurse with any updates, changes, or questions about your child’s health. We are here to help you help your child with any assistance that may be necessary, including assessing for any potential medication side effects. If your child has been injured, please provide a copy of the physician discharge/treatment instructions so we can work with the team of teachers and staff to help assure a successful, healthy school year.

Sincerely,

Jean Hobbie, RN BSN

HPS School Nurse

Martha Elliott, LPN

SA School Nurse

PS: Now is the time for adults to prepare for cold & flu season. The Hatfield Board of Health and the Council on Aging invite you to save this date:

Tues. Oct 24: 12-3 pm and 5-6:30 pm

ANNUAL RITE AID FLU CLINIC for residents age 18+

Hatfield Town Hall

Call: 247-9003 by Oct. 20 to register and for more information

UPDATE 6/1/17:

Please note the following important School Health check lists to complete for your children:

1. Schedule Physical Exams and Immunization Updates. Because students entering grades K, 4, 7, & 10 must have current physical exam reports (since Sept. 1, 2016) on file, please deliver or have your pediatrician fax these forms to the appropriate school before September. Note that extra immunizations are required for entry to grades K and 7. A link to the current MA DPH School Immunization requirements is attached below. While you are talking with your child’s pediatrician...

2. Request Written Medication Orders from your child’s MD. Students who need to take scheduled or prn (“as-needed”) medications other than those listed on theStudent Emergency Contact/Medication Form (given to families each September) need to send written medication orders to the school nurse each school year. If appropriate, ask the pediatrician to...

Ask MD to indicate consent for your SA student to self-carry and self-administer on the written medication order form

Have your student schedule a safety review with the SA School Nurse

Once review is completed: student, parent, and nurse sign a safety contract

4. Before summer break, pick up student medications currently stored in School Health Offices. All unused medications (including rescue meds such as inhalers, epinephrine auto injectors, and diastat) need to be picked up by a parent/guardian or designated adult before the end of school. SA students who have prior parental permission may pick up their rescue medications after their final exam.

5. Complete the forms for participation in student athletics at FamilyID.com. Also, all prospective student athletes must take the ImPACT neurocognitive baseline assessment at school before they may participate in a school sport and every two years thereafter. Dates for these assessments will be announced shortly. See the Athletics Concussion Policy (JJIF) and Athletics Concussion Procedures (JJIF-R) at the HPS Website “Administration/School Policies/Students” (section J). Athletic Director David Keir will send more information about registration for school sports at a later date.

Teaching Teens how to take care of their Health

Adolescence is a good time to learn self-care, to practice engaging directly with healthcare practitioners, and to learn to become a more independent self-advocate. Encourage your teens to start taking a more active role in managing their own health. Keeping in mind that we should always seek medical care for significant injuries and/or worsening symptoms, we are listing some general guidelines to consider for your conversations with your teen about their health:

“Eat right, Get Plenty of Rest, and Exercise” is timeless advice. Teens can use the current Myplate guidelines to choose balanced diets with more vegetables and fruits, along with grains, proteins, and some dairy products. They can also be reminded to eat sweet and savory snacks only in moderation. Approximately 9 hours of sleep are needed each night for growing and developing teens to feel and function at their best. Turning off screens at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed and avoiding caffeine and nicotine products also help promote a more restful sleep. 1 hour of daily physical activity that includes endurance, strength, and flexibility components is important for a lifetime of health. Help your teen explore a variety of activities: roller skating, dancing, and indoor rock climbing can be fun ways to promote physical fitness.

“Avoid germs and other toxins”. Hand washing (and drying) is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Avoid sharing hair products, hats, and foods (for those who are allergic to certain foods), Teens with signs of contagious illness and/or fever, need to stay home and be treated at home. Teach your teens how to recognize and respond to poison ivy, insect bites, and small wounds. Remind them that people who take scheduled medications should never share their medications with others. Model and discuss proper use, dosage, and frequency when giving your teen common over-the-counter medications, holistic products, and/or vitamins: all of which can be toxic if misused. Continue to have conversations about the risks of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; especially on the developing teen brain.

“Teach basic self-care” for mild symptoms. Mini-meditation breaks, relaxation breaths, using the bathroom, and / or drinking water can help alleviate many symptoms. Share your experiences of occasionally not feeling 100% but being well enough to go to work as a guide to help them participate in school. The distraction of a work project as well as a school project can sometimes be helpful. Ask your teens: what self-care strategies have been effective for them and what do they notice when they feel better. Ask further, what strategies help them manage stress.

“Teach self-advocacy”. If symptoms persist or worsen after attempting appropriate steps in #3, your teen needs to report their symptoms. (As a reminder, please do not mask signs such as a fever or diarrhea by medicating your teen and sending him/her to school). When in school, they need to request a pass to be seen by the School Nurse in the Health Clinic. Following a brief assessment, we can determine if your teen would benefit from a period of rest, treatment, and/or dismissal home. When at home, help your teen to track how they’re feeling (what makes it better, what makes it worse, how severe is the discomfort, what times of day does this happen, etc). If they don’t improve or if symptoms worsen, contact your child’s MD for a more detailed evaluation. Review with your teen what to expect and what to say during the appointment. Remind them that they are helping the health care practitioners do their jobs by noting and reporting any new or different symptoms.

“Spend some extra time with friends and family”. We parents can model how to engage with others by frequently sharing family meals together without the distraction of screens or phones. Elicit input from your teens regarding types of activities they like to do with their friends. Meet your teens’ friends (and their families if possible) for shared activities.

Finally, regular physical and dental exams can help teens practice engaging with health care practitioners and build confidence as they become adults. As your school nurses, we are honored to continue working with you and your families to help your children stay healthy and safe.

PS: The SA Health Clinic is seeking a donation of a gently-used CD player, preferably with earphones or headset and gently-used CDs. Those who may have these items are asked to contact:

HPS School Nurse Jean Hobbie at (413) 247-5010.

UPDATE (3/30/17):

There has been a recent increase in students out with flu-like symptoms, actual diagnosed influenza, and strep throat. Please be aware of these increased illnesses and seek medical guidance as appropriate. Remember to encourage handwashing and to disinfect shared items.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The official arrival of Spring has reminded all of us of that old New England saying: “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute”. During these topsy turvy days, we ask that you remind your children to prepare for both warmer and colder weather by dressing with layers and appropriate footwear for outside activities.

Please also note that there has been a significant uptick in sudden flu-like illnesses noted and reported here at school and at area pediatrician’s offices. If your child is ill, please keep them home until they are fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours. If instead, your child is diagnosed with strep throat, please assure that antibiotics are given as prescribed and keep your child home for at least 24 hours after the 1st dose if given and let the Nurse know about the diagnosis. If someone in your household is ill, disinfect all shared areas as appropriate. As always, please promote scrupulous handwashing both at home and here at school.

3/23/2017

The US CDC & Dept. of Health & Human Services have announced a company recall of "I.M. Healthy" soy nut butter products linked to cases of e coli.

Pleaseread the attached and follow all instructions if you use these products in your home. If unable to open this link, search "cdc.gov ecoli 2017".

Also, families who use the Mylan "Epi-Pen" product may be aware of a recent recall of this product in Australia. While there are no recalls of this product here in the U.S., we invite all families who use prescription medications to monitor the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for any alerts or recalls for particular medication lots. Links for both the Australian news story and the FDA website are posted below as an fyi.

I want to let everyone know that we, as well as other area schools, are experiencing an uptick in the number of students who are ill. In order to minimize the spread of illness in our community please encourage frequent hand washing and follow the guidelines below when deciding if it is appropriate for your child to return to school.

Students with a fever will need to stay home until at least 24 hours fever-free without the aid of medication.

Students who vomit will need to stay home at least 24 hours.

Students being treated for strep throat (and many communicable diseases for which antibiotics are prescribed, please check with your PCP or the Health office if unsure) must remain out of school for 24-48 hours after receiving the first dose of medication.

Parents are also urged to consider annual flu vaccinations for their children.

Thank You for Helping to Keep Hatfield Healthy

Martha Elliott

SA Health Office

The guidance above is from pg 33 of the School Handbook

1/23/17

You're all likely aware that there have been many reports of both some type of GI bug and some type of respiratory bug going around -- the pediatricians' (and school nurse) offices have been very busy in recent days. MA DPH stresses that the peak of "flu season" is not expected to happen until Feb. or Mar. With this in mind, here are some reminders to help our families stay healthy:

1. It's not too late to get a flu shot. Many pharmacies and clinics now offer these vaccines in addition to your primary physician.

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